Imposters charged with fraud

Tbong Khmum Provincial Court yesterday charged a con-artist and his accomplices with fraud for cheating civil servants out of money by promising them promotions.

Court spokesman Hak Sieklim identified the con-artist and ringleader as Suon Mony, who had three others working for him in a scheme that saw them pose as high-ranking officials to offer promotions to civil servants in exchange for a fee.

“They have been detained in prison,” Mr Sieklim said.

Prak Bun Non, deputy Tbong Khmum provincial police chief, said that Mr Mony, 62, was charged with fraud after he was arrested in Prey Veng province’s Svay Antor district by Tbong Khmum police.

Mr Bun Non identified his accomplices as Chea Sophat, Khorn Somaly and Khorn Sorya, who were earlier arrested while destroying evidence and were also charged with fraud.

Mr Bun Non said that Mr Mony posed as a high-ranking government official while his accomplices posed as officials working for him.

They used the names Ros Sophan, secretary of state at the Ministry of Public Service, Prak Vandy, deputy director of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s cabinet, and Prak Sam Oeun, director general of the General Department of Administration at the Ministry of Interior, to dupe the civil servants.

“They committed the crime three times in November and they stole between $3,000 to $4,000 from three victims,” said Mr Bun Non. “Their activity seriously affected senior officials of the government because they were not involved with this case.”

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